University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
CROPWATCH
With temperatures averaging two to four degrees above normal for the week ending April 23, corn planting was well underway and soybean planting had started in Nebraska, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Field Crops Report
- Corn planted was at 17%, near 15% last year, and ahead of 11% for the five-year average. Two percent had emerged, near 1% last year and for the five-year average. Last week only 3% had been planted, which compared to 6% for that week in 2016. Nationally, 17% of the corn crop had been planted, which was down from 28% in 2016, but near the five-year average of 18%. Four percent of the corn crop had emerged, equal to 2016 and the five-year averaged.
- Soybean planted was at 4%, near 0 last year and the average of 1%. Nationally, 6% of soybean has been planted, ahead of 3% in 2016 and for the five-year average. The only states reporting more than 4% of their soybean in the ground were Mississippi (60%), Louisiana (59%), and Arkansas (39%).
- Winter wheat condition rated 1% very poor, 8% poor, 37% fair, 47% good, and 7% excellent. Winter wheat jointed was at 33%, behind 51% last year, but ahead of the five-year average of 26%.
- Oats planted was 81%, near 83% last year and equal to average. Oats emerged was 39%, behind 50% last year, and near 43% average.
Soil Moisture
Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6% very short, 21% short, 69% adequate, and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 7% very short, 24% short, 67% adequate, and 2% surplus.